GRADUATION

Degrees are conferred at the close of each fall and spring semester and summer term. A fee is charged to each person applying for a degree at The University of Alabama to help cover the expenses of the commencement exercise.

Application for degree. To graduate a student must submit an Application for Degree. Each candidate for graduation is expected to file an application for degree one term prior to the term of graduation. An application form will be provided and accepted by the divisional or departmental office in the student’s academic division 12 weeks prior to the expected date of graduation. A student who fails to complete all requirements by the date on the application must file a new one. The graduation fee is payable to the Office of Student Receivables at the time the application for degree is filed.

All students (except doctoral candidates) who complete degree requirements will receive diplomas following the established graduation dates for those terms. Doctoral candidates will receive their diplomas at the commencement ceremonies held in August, December, and May. Undergraduate students completing degree requirements are considered degree candidates at the time of the institution’s graduation ceremony.

Graduation requirements. To be eligible for a baccalaureate degree in any school or college of The University of Alabama, a student must earn in residence in that school or college at least one-fourth of the semester hours required for the degree, including 9 of the last 18 hours. The schools and colleges may specify that advanced work in the major and minor fields be taken in residence. A student who meets the residency requirement and at the end of a semester is within 9 semester hours of completing the work required for graduation may, with the prior approval of the school or college of enrollment, complete those 9 hours at any institution (provided that the student is eligible to undertake such work).

In order to qualify for a degree from The University of Alabama, a student must earn a grade point average of at least “C” (2.00 on a 4.00 grading system) for all work attempted; transfer students must also earn grade point averages of at least 2.00 (“C”) for work attempted at The University of Alabama. In addition, the student must earn an average of “C” or higher for all work attempted in the major; transfer students must also earn an average of “C” or higher for all work attempted in the major at The University of Alabama. Some divisions of the University may have higher grade point average requirements for graduation; the divisional requirements for graduation are found in the sections of this catalog pertaining to each school and college.

If students do not complete degree requirements (as stated in this catalog for the academic year beginning each August or September) within seven years from the date they first entered the University or began collegiate work, they must change to the current catalog, under which they have seven years. If they so desire, they may choose a later catalog up to or including the one current at the time of their graduation.

Independent study and extension classes. In general, the maximum amount of baccalaureate degree credit that may be earned through independent study, extension classes, or a combination of the two is 25 percent of the total number of hours required for graduation, subject to the following provisions:

• The credit earned for independent study and extension classes must not conflict with general requirements for graduation.
• A student who plans to earn degree credit by independent study must have this plan approved in advance by the dean of the student’s academic division.
• Any student in an undergraduate division of The University of Alabama who lacks one semester’s work or less for completion of degree requirements, and whose attendance at the University is interrupted by orders to duty in any of the armed forces, shall be permitted to complete the requirements for graduation by independent study, provided that the credit earned for independent study does not exceed 25 percent of the work required for the degree. Such a student may also choose to complete some or all of the remaining one semester (or less) of work at another accredited institution. The work at another accredited institution may include independent study, night classes, extension classes, and/or regular classes in residence. Any work taken under these conditions must be approved in advance by the dean of the school or college awarding the degree.
• Students in the School of Law are not covered by these provisions.